Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rebel Wilson

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Rebel Wilson made an impact.

Rebel Wilson is an Australian actress, comedian, and producer. She started her career in Australia with appearances in comedy series like 'Pizza' and 'The Wedge', and created 'Bogan Pride'. Wilson gained international recognition after moving to the United States, where she starred in popular comedy films like 'Bridesmaids' and 'A Few Best Men'.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Original Release of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

In 2019, Rebel Wilson starred in The Hustle, a female-centred remake of the 1988 comedy film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

2002: The Westie Monologues

In 2002, Rebel Wilson wrote, starred in, and produced her stage musical, The Westie Monologues, in Sydney, gaining public attention.

2003: Early TV Roles

In 2003, Rebel Wilson began her television career with a role in the SBS comedy series Pizza.

2003: Move to New York

In 2003, Rebel Wilson moved to New York after winning the ATYP International scholarship funded by Nicole Kidman.

2004: Telstra Advertisements

From 2004 to 2005, Rebel Wilson played a mad schoolgirl in a series of Telstra advertisements shown during Australian Idol.

2005: Telstra Advertisements

From 2004 to 2005, Rebel Wilson played a mad schoolgirl in a series of Telstra advertisements shown during Australian Idol.

2006: Role in The Wedge

In 2006, Rebel Wilson appeared in the sketch comedy show The Wedge.

2007: Appearance in The Wedge and Ghost Rider

In 2007, Rebel Wilson appeared in The Wedge and the feature film Ghost Rider.

2007: Role in Ghost Rider

In 2007, Rebel Wilson had a role in the film Ghost Rider.

2008: Bogan Pride and Monster House

In 2008, Rebel Wilson created, wrote, produced and starred in the musical comedy series Bogan Pride on SBS One and also starred in the improvisational Nine Network series Monster House.

2008: Bogan Pride

In 2008, Rebel Wilson wrote, produced, and starred in the musical comedy series Bogan Pride.

2009: Tropfest Award and TV Appearances

In 2009, Rebel Wilson won the Tropfest Best Actress award for her role in the film Bargain. She made appearances on Thank God You're Here and Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation.

January 2010: Move to the United States

In January 2010, Rebel Wilson moved to the United States and signed with William Morris Endeavor.

2010: Co-hosting ARIA Music Awards

In 2010, Rebel Wilson co-hosted the ARIA Music Awards and performed at Variety's Power of Comedy event.

July 2011: Spokesperson for Jenny Craig

In July 2011, Rebel Wilson became a spokesperson for weight loss and nutrition company Jenny Craig in Australia.

August 2011: Cast in Bachelorette

In August 2011, Rebel Wilson replaced Casey Wilson in the film Bachelorette.

2011: Breakthrough in Comedy Films

In 2011, Rebel Wilson moved to the United States and appeared in the comedy films Bridesmaids and A Few Best Men.

2011: Filming A Few Best Men

In early 2011, Rebel Wilson filmed A Few Best Men at Fox Studios Australia. She was also named one of Variety magazine's "Top Ten Comics to Watch for 2011".

January 2012: Announcement of Super Fun Night

In January 2012, it was announced that Rebel Wilson would be writing and starring in Super Fun Night, a comedy series.

2012: Role in What to Expect When You're Expecting

In 2012, Rebel Wilson had a role in the ensemble comedy What to Expect When You're Expecting and co-starred in the indie film Struck By Lightning.

2012: Continued Film Roles and Pitch Perfect

In 2012, Rebel Wilson starred in What to Expect When You're Expecting, Struck by Lightning and Bachelorette. She also appeared in Pitch Perfect, gaining wider recognition.

February 2013: End of Agreement with Jenny Craig

In February 2013, Rebel Wilson confirmed that she had ended her agreement with Jenny Craig the previous year.

April 2013: MTV Movie Awards Hosting

On 14 April 2013, Rebel Wilson hosted the MTV Movie Awards.

October 2013: Super Fun Night Broadcast

In October 2013, the series Super Fun Night, starring Rebel Wilson, began broadcasting on ABC.

2013: Plus-Size T-Shirt Collection

In 2013, Rebel Wilson created a plus-size T-shirt collection named after her "Fat Mandi" character in The Wedge, featuring images of donuts and cupcakes.

2013: Super Fun Night Airs

In 2013, Wilson wrote and starred in 'Super Fun Night', a television sitcom that aired for one season on ABC.

2013: Comments on Physicality and Comedy

In a 2013 interview with Hunger Magazine, Rebel Wilson stated that she would make fat jokes as long as she looked like she did, because comedians have to use their physicality. She added that her agency signed her almost on the spot because they didn't have anyone like her on their books.

March 2014: Dish Network Campaign

In March 2014, Dish Network launched a marketing campaign for its Hopper DVR featuring Rebel Wilson as the voice of the animated kangaroo.

September 2015: Kung Fu Panda Casting Change

In September 2015, Rebel Wilson was replaced by Kate Hudson in the voice cast for Kung Fu Panda 3.

2015: Confirmation of Birth Date and Name; Career Impact

In 2015, Rebel Wilson's true birth date and birth name of Melanie were confirmed through business records obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald. Wilson continued to claim a relationship to Walt Disney despite lacking evidence. Following this, Wilson was allegedly "sacked from two DreamWorks animations" and "missed out on movie roles during 2015 and 2016".

February 2016: Appearances and BAFTA Presentation

In February 2016, Rebel Wilson appeared in the comedy How to Be Single and presented the nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the 69th British Academy Film Awards.

June 2016: The Little Mermaid Concert

In June 2016, Rebel Wilson appeared as Ursula in an all-star concert version of The Little Mermaid at the Hollywood Bowl.

August 2016: West End Debut in Guys and Dolls

From 28 June to August 2016, Rebel Wilson made her West End debut in the musical Guys and Dolls as Miss Adelaide, receiving positive reviews.

2016: Career Impact from Controversy

During 2015 and 2016, as a result of controversy around her background, Rebel Wilson "missed out on movie roles during 2015 and 2016".

2016: Comments on Body Image in Comedy

In 2016, Rebel Wilson stated that she felt bigger girls did better in comedy because they are easier to laugh at and she used that to her advantage.

June 2017: Planned Use of Defamation Damages

In June 2017, Rebel Wilson tweeted that any dollars she received in her defamation case would go to charity, scholarships, or invested into the Aussie film industry to provide jobs.

2017: Pitch Perfect Series Conclusion

In 2017, Rebel Wilson concluded her role in the 'Pitch Perfect' film series.

2017: Plus-Sized Clothing Line

In 2017, Rebel Wilson launched a plus-sized clothing range called Rebel Wilson x Angels following a collaboration with Torrid.

2017: Pitch Perfect 3

In 2017, Rebel Wilson reprised her role in the sequels Pitch Perfect 3.

May 2018: Beauty and the Beast: Live in Concert

In May 2018, Rebel Wilson played LeFou in a production of Beauty and the Beast: Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. She also appeared on the cover of Vogue Australia for the first time.

2019: Starring in Romatic and The Hustle

In 2019, Rebel Wilson starred in two comedies: Isn't It Romantic, released in February, and The Hustle, released in May. She also appeared in the drama series Les Norton and the films Jojo Rabbit and Cats.

2019: Lead Roles in Comedies

In 2019, Rebel Wilson took on her first lead roles in the comedies Isn't It Romantic and The Hustle, and also had a supporting role in the comedy-drama Jojo Rabbit.

May 2022: Release of Senior Year on Netflix

In May 2022, Rebel Wilson starred in the Netflix comedy film Senior Year, playing a woman who returns to high school after waking from a 20-year coma.

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September 2022: First non-comedy film role in The Almond and the Seahorse

In September 2022, Wilson appeared in her first non-comedy film role in The Almond and the Seahorse, an adaptation of Kaite O'Reilly's stage play of the same name.

2022: Starring in Senior Year

In 2022, Rebel Wilson starred in and produced the Netflix comedy film Senior Year.

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September 2023: Start of production for 'The Deb'

Production began in September 2023 for 'The Deb', a musical comedy film set in the Australian outback, directed by Wilson.

April 2024: Publication of Rebel Rising Memoir

In April 2024, Rebel Wilson's memoir, Rebel Rising, was published and garnered attention for her account of discomfort on the set of Grimsby and Sacha Baron Cohen's alleged inappropriate behavior, which he has denied. Due to legal concerns, significant portions of the chapter related to this incident were redacted for the UK.

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